Still alive and stamping

OMG. I couldn't believe it when I found I haven't visited my own blog since July! I've been really busy with so many other projects and all the holidays. But what kind of excuse is that to not post to your own blog. I'm so ashamed (bowing head right now and wringing my hands!). And the computer is in such shock that I not only had to change the batteries in the mouse right now, I had to change the batteries in the keyboard too. Shock and trauma. But I have been crafting and stamping right along all this time so it hasn't been wasted. I made some really lovely Christmas cards (about 100) but sent them all out. They were nice though. Now I'm making Valentine's Day cards and I wanted to share with everyone before selling and mailing. I've used all varieties of stamps from Stampin' Up, Magnolia, Alotta Stamps, Fluffles, Elizabeth Bell and I had so much fun. I think they turned out nice and I hope that you will be inspired. Thanks for stopping by. I promise I won't wait so long to post again.

lottsa cards

here are a bunch of cards I've done for my craft show in August.

2 trips and a funeral

We've been busy, busy. Getting ready to go to the mountains for the weekend and got a call from our dear sweet friend, Kathy, that her husband, John, died. We had been to see him at the hospital a week before and although he wasn't good, he was getting along. Of course, it's never good news when there's cancer involved. Tom had been John's Chief of Staff at the Shrine when John was Potentate in 2003 and we traveled with them for 3 years, having one great big blast. John was 68. We had always talked about traveling together and doing fun stuff when we all retired. Just wasn't meant to be.
We went on to the mountains with heavy hearts but there was really nothing we could do since their family was all here anyway. And we did have a good time. It was a social get-together of one of the Shrine groups...John was a member and we had a little memorial to him.
Tuesday was the viewing and Wednesday was the funeral. It was hard, but his family made it a celebration of his life and it was a great send off and memorial for John. He will be missed.
This weekend past we went to Payson again but just for the day...to another Shrine party. It was cooler than our 116 that we've been having...there was a breeze and if you stayed in the shade it wasn't bad. Certainly couldn't have been outside if you'd been here in the Valley!!!!!
Now we are getting ready to go further on north towards Flagstaff to Munds Park for this weekend. Should be a little cooler there than Payson. We are staying with friends there and their cabin has the most wonderful back porch that looks out on to the forest and gets the best breezes I've ever had. Our bedroom there has cross ventilation and with the doors open at night it makes for wonderful sleeping. Before we leave on Friday we are going to a birthday celebration for the mother of one of our friends. She is turning 100. Isn't that just amazing. She is very alert and active, although she is in a wheel chair now. Her favorite color is purple so I made her a card with a purple flower on it. I've got lots of cards I will be downloading so be watching. See ya.

I made this card today...had 7 thinking of you cards to do for ailing friends. Another cute cowboy...guess I just have a thing for guys in denim jeans and boots. Now, at 70, hubby isn't that guy anymore, but he still has a cute butt; well, at least I think so.

I've been making cards for a craft show in August and this is one of the "guy" ones I came up with. Isn't he cute. A friend gave me the stamp and I just love it; reminds me of my youngest grandson who's a little 4 year-old cowboy.

Here is the card I made for our son's in-laws for their 50th wedding anniversary today. Congratulations Art and JoAnne.

Well, lookie here...I'm back and it's not been a month yet! Thanks for the nice comments on my cards...I just have so much fun with them and it's neat to share. Yesterday was Father's Day. So, per tradition, DH did the cooking. : ) We had grilled chicken, salad, baked potato and corn on the cob. He does a good job, bless his heart. And all that after just coming back from Denver. The kids all called him for Father's Day so I got to talk longer. Of course. Found out that my two youngest granddaughters, age 13, have gone to camp...one to Girl Scout camp and the other to roping camp. Yes, there's a real honest go goodness cowgirl in the family. She just completed the state hs rodeo the first of June and didn't do too bad. Not as well as we always wish for but we're really proud of her. Lots don't even make it to the state finals and she did, in 3 catagories: barrels, poles and calf tying. Can't wait to see how our girl does at Girl Scout camp. I think this might be her first year to attend. But she does enjoy being in Scouts. Going out tomorrow to lunch with a friend. She got married recently and I made her a scrapbook with the pictures I took so she will have a surprise tomorrow. I thought it turned out really cute. She makes jewelry and it is just beautiful and she does really well. She will be leaving next week for San Antonio for Shrine Imperial. She has good sales among the Shrine women all over the US. Well, summer has made it to Arizona. It didn't just move in gently either...it jumped out, slapped us in the face, laughing hysterically, saying "Gotcha!" as it went from 97 yesterday to 105 today. Yuck, yuck, yuck!! Think we've seen the last of the 90's for awhile. But Spring lasted a long time this year. After our 2 weeks of 100 + in May, June has been wonderful, breezy and Spring-like. It's over. Gotta go. Dishes, then supper, then play with cards. Or maybe: play with cards, dishes, play, supper, play...hmmm.